Read Second String (In Too Deep #3) for Free Online Page B

crap out in front of him. He turned the key, and the ignition revved to life. He looked at me and flashed that irresistible smile. What a freaking hottie.
    "Collin was saying that his parents might do something in San Diego for New Year's. Do you think you might be able to come down?"
    I had been so preoccupied by his face, that I hadn't exactly heard the words he was saying. Thankfully, my mind held on to the sounds it had heard, and I was able to replay the statement in my head. Can you come for New Year's was what I thought he said.
    "New Year's?" I said, testing the waters to make sure I'd heard right.
    "Yeah, you think you could make it to the party at the Blake's house?"
    "In San Diego? No. I mean, I don't think so. I heard them ta lking about it, but no. I don’t think I'll be able to do that. I have off the three days before, but we have a home game on New Year's Day."
    "Really? I think you should be able to make it back to L.A. for your game that night. It's only a couple of hours."
    "Actually, I haven't even given it any thought. I'd hate to leave Sal, but I guess he'd be okay for one evening," I said. I paused for another second before saying, "I'll think about it. I'll give you a text to let you know if I think I can make it."
    " Would a trip to San Diego count toward the five visits?"
    "No way!" I said instinctively. I was so accustomed to keeping my distance with guys that giving them a hard time was standard operating procedure for me. It wasn't until after I'd said it that I realized I may want to speed up the process for this private dance. Ethan stirred feelings in me that before now, were only reserved for Jeremy. Part of me was scared that I'd end up falling for yet another player, but the other part of me was relieved I was finally feeling attracted to someone other than Jeremy.
    But b efore I could eat my words and say, "I guess it counts toward the five visits," Ethan leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. "Well, it'd still be cool if you'd come," he said. "You should try."
    Was that my goodbye? A kiss on the cheek that was over before it even started? We made out for hours in Vegas. You don't go from hours of making out to a peck on the cheek. Ughhh, I knew I'd gone too far with the good girl routine. He was too scared to even kiss me now.
    "You okay Em?"
    I focused on his face, zeroing in on the lips I so desperately wanted on mine. "Fine," I said. Two can play at this game. I was calm and collected when I said, "I'll text to let you know if I think I can make it next week." Ignoring the nagging urge to lean in and kiss him, I reached for the handle and pulled it, letting the door pop open just a crack. "I'm glad you came," I said. I leaned over and put an equally chaste kiss on his cheek before climbing out of the car.
    "I'm glad I came too," he said, leaning over to look at me through the open door. "See you soon, I hope," he added.
    "Yeah, me too," I said. "Oh, and tell your family merry Christmas."
    "I'm headed for the apartment, but I'll tell Josh."
    "I can't believe I forgot about Josh," I said. "We should have sent some food for him."
    "No, no, this is plenty. And I'll tell him you say hi."
    " Please do. And tell him I tried my best to send a plate for him."
    "I'll share, I promise," he said. I closed the passenger's side door, and walked around the front of the car. He rolled down his window as he began to slowly creep out of the parking spot in reverse. "I hope Sal's not too shot-out to make it home."
    I laughed at the way he used the phrase. Sal was pretty shot-out right now. Ethan was smiling at me out the window, and again, I had to stifle the urge to run up to his car window and kiss him goodbye. I just waved and blew him a kiss.
    ****
    "That was fun," Rachel said as I walked back into the house. It was more of a question than a statement, and I knew she (and everyone else) wanted the scoop on how things had gone.
    "Yeah, I'm glad he came," I said, still going for discrete. "We'll